Explore what's the truth! This was originally published in the Chicago Tribune on Oct. 13, 1975: Q: After assuring my children they would not be attacked by sharks if they swam in Lake Michigan, I found an account of a shark killing a Chicago boy by the name of George Lawson in the lake. It is also known as a Ganges River shark. However, the problem lies with the water temperatures. These include being aware of any warnings or advisories related to harmful algal blooms, avoiding underwater hazards, and practicing good water safety habits. 3 Creepy Creatures That Could Be Lurking in Lake Michigan - 103.3 WKFR A bull shark? Home; Listen. Unlike sturgeon, muskies are predatory fish, having a diet consisting of other fish up to a third as big, crayfish, small mammals, and waterfowl like ducks. The fact that bull sharks live near the coast and in rivers gives them easier access to humans and they are known to attack. It is quite unlikely that you will see a Bull Shark in the Great Lakes, especially as there isnt much food for them to eat, and a lot of barriers in their way to the lakes. What Other Wildlife Is There In Lake Michigan? Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. Although there have been occasional reports of bull sharks in Lake Michigan, these reports are unverified and should be treated skeptically. One of Lake Michigans most potentially dangerous animals is the sea lamprey. Bull Shark | National Wildlife Federation For the majority of sharks, they need saltwater in order to survive. The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a type of requiem shark, putting it in the same family as tiger sharks and spinner sharks. It is highly unlikely that bull sharks live in Lake Michigan. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our, Global Shark Attack file: George Lawson case >>>, Dansby Swanson, bloodied by his own helmet, helps the Chicago Cubs shake off a weekend sweep with a 5-1 win, Discovery channeled. The most likely explanation is that it was a pet that got too big and that was dumped into the lake, where it subsequently died. A bull shark would absolutely have the food sources available to become a resident here. The record for a muskie in Michigan is around 4.5 feet long and weighing approximately 50 lbs. Its highly unlikely that you will find bull sharks in Lake Michigan. Bull sharks are classed as Vulnerable, which means they are threatened but there is no immediate cause for concern. More people are killed from vending machines than bull sharks. Though bull sharks have been spotted in the Mississippi River, which joins Lake Michigan, they most likely do not make their way to the actual lake from the ocean because of the presence of locks and dams which make this journey tricky. In addition, the conditions in Lake Michigan are not ideal for bull sharks, as the lake is much colder and less salty than the ocean, which could make it difficult for them to survive. Alligators Run Faster Than Humans. Rich Fasi of Traverse City says he found a dead 2-foot shark in the water while . However, if their numbers continue to drop as a result of climate change and commercial fishing, that could change. Yet these shows and stories spark peoples imaginations that they think that a shark could be in the Great Lakes. When it comes to Bull Sharks, it is known that they hunt for quite large prey. The possibility of these sharks making their way into Lake Michigan . Bull Sharks will rarely swim beyond the Mississippi basin. A bull shark attacked a 7-year-old boy swimming in Lake Pontchartrain in 2014. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. Interestingly, Kenora is home to a 36-foot tall roadside statue of a muskie leaping out of the water. Also known as blue-green algae, its common in many lakes and waterways around the world. The shark was treated like a local celebrity and attracted crowds for days to the Calhoun Fish Market. Many are harmless, but some of the species can create toxins that make people and animals sick. Sharks In Lake Michigan: True Story or Urban Myth? The lake is known for its beautiful scenery, including sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and clear blue waters. Unfortunately, a high number of people drown at Lake Michigan every year because of the harsh water currents. A lot of people have wondered whether Bull Sharks can live in the Great Lakes. Coming in at #3 on our most dangerous & aggressive sharks list, the bull shark is a force to be reckoned with. Still, there has never been a scientifically-documented report of a bull shark being found in Lake Michigan. Usually, adults spend their time in deeper waters. Cyanotoxins released from these blooms can cause rashes, skin blisters, and breathing difficulties just by coming into contact with your skin. Because bull sharks can survive in freshwater, there are lots of theories and conspiracies than there are bull sharks wandering around in Lake Michigan. However, these claims have been dismissed as rumors, as sharks are saltwater creatures and would not thrive easily in freshwater lakes, not even great white sharks. Man finds dead shark in Lake Michigan - NBC News Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The Sea Lamprey must be the scariest-looking of all the dangerous creatures in Lake Michigan. Despite some uncertainty, such as the discovery of a dead bull shark on the lake's shore, it is widely assumed that sharks live in the lake. Another theory is that someone was keeping it as a pet and it died, so they dumped the body in the lake. Bull sharks are a species of shark that can be found all over the world. No one has reported seeing either fish in Lake Michigan though. Bull Sharks In The Great Lakes - Myth Or Fact? Although they are far from the longest type of sharks, the width and stockiness of the bull shark is quite imposing. Lake Pontchartrain is known for having sharks because they swim in from the Gulf of Mexico, but last night a fisherman caught a large bull shark and wants to bring awareness to the dangers that exi Instead what they got was a 5-foot bull shark that weighed over 80 pounds. What Are The Differences Between Shark And Dolphin Fins? In order to understand the presence or absence of a particular species in an environment, it is essential to rely on scientific studies and verified sources. It is usually caused when pollutants like the contents of septic tanks, manure, and other organic waste are deposited into the lakes. Bull sharks have been found in mouths to rivers, such as the Mississippi river, that empty into the ocean, and even many miles upstream. Via the Mississippi river. In a book I was reading recently there is an account of an attack on a swimmer, George Lawson, in Lake Michigan. He had caught the shark in Florida a couple of years before and had kept it in his freezer, he said. In early July, a lifeguard was bitten by a shark on his chest and hand in what Steve Bellone, the top executive in Suffolk County, New York, called an unprecedented event. They are known to be aggressive predators and will eat a variety of prey, including fish, turtles, dolphins, and even other sharks. The first was in Alton, Illinois, in 1937, and the second was in Missouri in 1995. Bull sharks kidneys recycle salt water, so theyre able to swim through rivers and lakes, according to National Geographic. Uncovering The Mystery Of The Great White Shark In Lake Michigan The furthest inland a bull shark has ever been seen in North America is Alton, Ill. Alton sits along the Mississippi River about 15 miles north of St. Louis, and 1750 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. It appeared in a magazine titled Killer Sharks: Jaws of Death. Could you investigate? At their biggest, bull sharks can stretch to around 13 feet, although its rare for them to grow this big. They will also eat sea turtles and dolphins. Or, this report near Chicago in 2014 of a possible shark fin sticking up out of the water. Though the largest wave to be recently recorded was 23 ft (7.1 m), which occurred in September 2011, the largest wave ever from Lake Michigan to actually strike the coast of Michigan was around 10 ft (3 m). Nevertheless, a bull shark can live for a time in freshwater before ultimately perishing if it does not return to saltwater. MU Podcasts. It is the largest Lake in Central America and the 19th Largest Lake in the world, with a size of 3,191 square miles. There have only been reports of small populations in the extreme corners of the lake and not full-fledged infestations. Because of its size, Lake Michigan is located in a few states, which include Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and of course, its namesake, Michigan. The majority of the bull shark sighting in Lake Michigan have been proved to be hoaxes though and any that have not been confirmed as hoaxes have also not been proved to be scientifically possible. Most importantly for this story, though, is that theres photographic evidence of the men in town with their catch. The Ultimate Guide To Shark Cage Diving In Florida, Everything You Need To Know About Tiny Sharks And Why Theyre Nothing To Be Afraid Of. People have wondered whether there is a chance of a shark being in the Great Lakes. There have been sharks up to 4 feet long caught by anglers at the lake and there are reports of sharks up to 6 feet long in the water. Lake Michigan has unique characteristics that set it apart from other bodies of water. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. This is over 2,000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and is comparable to a bull shark that once swam 2,500 miles up the Amazon River. Lake Michigan has unique characteristics that make it different from other bodies of water, including its low salinity and well-mixed water column. It can live in both saltwater and freshwater and is found all over the world. Predators in Lake Michigan That Can Harm - or Even EAT You - 99.1 WFMK Can you tell me if this story is true? If youre swimming next to a bull shark and provoking it, theyre incredibly dangerous. Another example is cataloged in the Global Shark Attack File, a listing to track shark attacks by the non-profit Shark Research Institute. Lake Michigan & Mississippi River (https://youtu.be/FxQBHvpZUw8). It is highly unlikely that bull sharks live in Lake Michigan. In the Great Lakes, the fish are much smaller than the typical prey that sharks hunt for in the ocean. There are still a few questions to answer about this shark species, so lets take a look! While bull sharks are known to be adaptable and can tolerate freshwater environments, there is no concrete evidence to support their presence in the lake. The odds of a shark attack are practically zero, despite the recent spate of shark bites on both coasts. There have been multiple reports of bull shark sightings in Lake Michigan for years and years. As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. According to the author, Lawson lost his leg to the infamous Carcharhinus Springer. This attack supposedly occurred in the summer of 1955. These stocky beasts are agile hunters and they are incredibly adaptable, thriving in rivers as well as the ocean. Their kidneys function a bit differently and they have special glands in their tails that allow them to keep salt in their bodies even when they are in freshwater. Bull Sharks In Lake Superior or Michigan? The Northern Snakehead isnt aggressive toward people but will bite if they feel threatened. More about how we earn money as an affiliate. Though bull sharks would not be able to access Lake Michigan easily due to the presence of the Chicago electric barrier at the south and Niagara Falls, miles away to the northeast. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. Bull Sharks can and do survive in freshwater for quite a while, and reports have shown them to be several miles upriver from their normal habitat. What lake has sharks? - Lake Access One of the unique things about this shark species is that they can also be found in rivers and lakes, including the Amazon, Brisbane River, and the Ohio River. Also, there was once a dead bull shark found on the shore of Lake Michigan, but no one knows how it got there. From what we have discussed, the chances of a shark being in the Great Lakes is very low. Although, its not a fish most would want to catch. These large waves are called 'seiches' and can reach several feet (meters) in height, similar to saltwater waves in the ocean. You will not find paid product promotions or sponsored content on this site. . They are known to be aggressive predators and will eat a variety of prey, including fish, turtles, dolphins, and even other sharks. Tanya always had a knack for writing which encouraged her to be a part of several editorials and publications across print and digital media. However, it is important to note that encounters with dangerous animals in Lake Michigan are relatively rare. Read. Lake of the Ozarks is located in South-central Missouri, U.S., and spans an area of 84.37 mi. Bull sharks are a species of shark that can be found all over the world. Dams now keep any wandering sharks from entering the river. There are two possible natural routes: Still, this doesnt prevent someone from transporting a bull shark via truck and dumping it in Lake Michigan. For one thing, lock-and-dam systems on the Mississippi could stop sharks from swimming farther inland, Ryan Shell, a paleontologist for the U.S. Forest Service, told The Alton (Illinois) Telegraph. While there have been occasional reports of bull sharks being found in freshwater environments such as rivers, it is unlikely that they would be able to establish a breeding population in a freshwater lake such as Lake Michigan. Bull sharks have been discovered up to 1,000 miles deep into the Mississippi, but the waters are much warmer than those found in the Great Lakes. Is It Possible For A Shark To Swim Backwards? If youre curious to learn more about RIP currents and how they are formed, check out the other blog I wrote primarily to address this phenomenon. then why not take a look at What cheese does Chipotle use? Sharks need several things to be able to survive, and they are all lacking in the Great Lakes.
Jonathan Osteen Wedding,
Council Bungalow In Leicester,
Theta Phi Alpha Oath And Resolution,
Ole Miss Graduate Student Housing,
Articles B